The Democratic primary for Albany County's state Senate seat heated up this week when challenger Luke Martland called on seven-term incumbent Neil Breslin, the chairman of the Senate's Insurance Committee, to give back tens of thousands of dollars in campaign contributions from the insurance industry.

Breslin brushed aside Martland's claims of a conflict of interest, saying his legislative record makes it clear he's no friend of Big Insurance.

Both men say they favor publicly financed elections. But Breslin said legislation to that effect would never pass now as the state's economy continues to founder and that he is forced to operate within the system that currently exists.

Besides, it's not just about him, he said. "I'm on a team," Breslin said, referring to the Senate's Democratic conference, which is trying desperately to hold onto its three-seat majority after a tumultuous two years in power.

Breslin, who is assistant majority leader, said some of the money he raises can help defend Democratic seats elsewhere.

As of earlier this month, Breslin had a robust $420,619.73 banked. That's roughly 10 times more than Martland's $42,727.76.

Running against the county Democratic committee's endorsed candidate has made it difficult to for Martland to raise money inside the district. But there was one familiar name on his most recent campaign finance disclosure forms: A $100 contribution from Barnette for State Committee.

Commissions are established in each state judicial district and are described as an independent screening panel for candidates. Each panel's 15 members, both lawyers and non-lawyers, are named by the chief judge, the presiding justices of the appellate divisions and the statewide and local bar associations.

The chairman of the seven-county 3rd Judicial District's panel is Sullivan County attorney Edward M. Cooke. The commission doesn't discuss how it arrives at its ratings.

Heath-Roland said she doesn't know why she received the bad rating. "It came as a surprise," she said. "There was no oral or written decision that they issued. I know that decision had nothing to do with my merits or experience, and I am staying positive and moving forward and delivering a positive message to the voters of my integrity and my dedication to public service."

County Legislator Sean Ward of Green Island came to her defense. "I don't know how any group of people can say that a sitting judge is not qualified to be a candidate for a higher judicial office," Ward said. "She's very qualified. She has a law degree, good background, great experience, and I'm not sure that every surrogate court judge in New York state worked in the surrogate court before they were elected or appointed to that seat."